The Early and Later Stages of Hodgkin Disease

Hodgkin disease or Hodgkin lymphoma is among the common cancer types in the world for the last few years. One sad thing regarding this is that not most people are aware of this. If the awareness is increased, there is a great chance to prevent this particular cancer. Let’s learn more about this disease, especially its symptoms of both early and later stages.

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Cancer cells in the lymphatic system, which is basically a part of the immune system, cause a disease called the Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Sometimes called as Hodgkin lymphoma, it is formerly termed as Hodgkin disease or Hodgkin’s disease. The term “Hodgkin” is taken from a person who first found and described the abnormalities or disorders in the lymphatic system. Thomas Hodgkin.

This cancer mainly affects the white blood cells, specifically called lymphocytes; hence the name. It grows within the lymphatic system, and also can spread beyond the area, which may indicate advanced stage of the cancer. Furthermore, this cancer is one of the two types – the other one is called, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which is more common.

Early Stages of Hodgkin Lymphoma

Stages 1 and 2 of this cancer have a high chance of getting treated. Stage 1 is the condition in which there the disease is only present in one group of the lymphoma, or lymph nodes, in a particular single organ of the body. Stage 2 is in which two or more groups of the lymph nodes are affected in a single or more body organs. In many cases, this usually affects either the left or right side of the diaphragm.

Hodgkin lymphoma can be indicated as stage 1A, stage 1B, stage 2A or stage 2B depending on the symptoms. A doctor can officially describe the patient’s condition of this disease as “A” if there are no general symptoms at all, but “B” if the following signs are present: severe sweating at night or during sleep, fever with high temperature (often comes and goes), and unexpected weight loss.

These early stages do not affect more than 3 lymph nodes of a person. They usually occur in men and women of 40 years old and below. In most cases, just like other cancer types of stage 1 or 2, people won’t know they have this cancer because of the absence of signs and symptoms.

Late Stages of Hodgkin Lymphoma

The advanced stages of this cancer are stage 3 and stage 4. Stage 3 is when both sides of the diaphragm’s lymphoma are affected. On the other hand, stage 4 refers to cancer cells in all lymph nodes of the diaphragm, as well as in other body organs, including lungs, liver and bones.

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A patient of stage 3 or 4 Hodgkin lymphoma suffers more discomfort and pain, including with bulky disease. Of course, he or she experiences the symptoms of this cancer, also called as B symptoms, as mentioned earlier. At this point, the cancer has spread beyond the lymph system, which a doctor labels it as either Stage 3E or stage 4E cancer. It also starts to have low blood protein and low red blood cell levels. When the spleen is affected, it becomes an “S” type of stage. These later stages mostly happen in men, particularly at ages 45 and above.

Hodgkin lymphoma can be treated, regardless of the stage level. However, the prognosis of advanced or later stages is usually 50% to be cured. Also, there is a possibility that this cancer becomes a recurrent disease. This means a patient may survive and get fully treated, but can still be diagnosed with it again.

Like other cancers, Hodgkin disease must not be underestimated. This is a very serious condition that must be prevented. Taking care of one’s self is always the key to avoid getting any disease like this cancer.